FARMING IN WAR

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20044, 16 September 1939, Page 10

FARMING IN WAR

ORGANISING INDUSTRY GOVERNMENT INTENTIONS COUNCIL OF PRODUCTION MINISTER’S STATEMENT (Por Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. The necessity for increased production of agricultural and pastoral commodities was strongly emphasised by the Minister of Agriculture, the Hon. W. Lee Marlin, yesterday in a statement in which he said that steps had been taken already to set up a comprehensive national organisation to marshall the whole of the resources of the Dominion in a sustained effort to increase our primary production. “I have been charged by the Government with the organisation of the production of primary commodities up to the point of distribution oi marketing,” said the Minister. “Already I have consulted the leaders of the principal farmers’ organisations and have been assured of the whole-heart-ed co-operation of the farmerse of New Zealand, who realise that in time of war it is the first duty of every man to contribute to the fullest extent in the national efforts to secure increased production.

Organisation Essential

“While individual effort may accomplish a great deal, it is obvious that, in times such as the present, direction and organisation become essential so as to cope with all phases which will eventually lead to our production being of maximum value to this Dominion and to the Motherland.

“Viewing this as all-important, the Government has decided to appoint a council of primary production, ovei which I shall preside, which will be entrusted with co-ordination of the efforts of primary producers on an organised basis throughout the Dominion.

“I expect to be in a position within a few days to announce the personnel of the council and subsidiary organisations, and to outline their functions. “Since the crisis developed no time has been lost and no time shall be lost in effectively planning the maintenance and extension of farm production and, with the co-operation of the farmers of this country, I am satisfied that we shall be able to evolve an organisation sufficient to meet any needs.”